Ecological niche comparisons of 3 polyphagous fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) species using ensemble models with soil variables.

Invasive polyphagous fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) species, including Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), Zeugodacus tau (Walker), and Bactrocera zonata (Saunders), pose significant threats to agricultural and food security, particularly in Southeast Asia. This study aims to develop and evaluate species distribution models to predict the potential distribution of the 3 tephritid species based on climatic, soil, and topographic factors. Individual models and ensemble models were employed and tested to identify suitable areas across the region.

Research on the Economic Loss Model of Invasive Alien Species Based on Multidimensional Data Spatialization-A Case Study of Economic Losses Caused by in Jiangsu Province.

IAS imposes significant impacts on native ecosystems and economies. Current assessment methods for economic losses predominantly rely on habitat suitability estimation and database extrapolation, often lacking integration of causal inference and dynamic spatial drivers. , a pervasive invasive pest in Jiangsu Province, China, exemplifies this challenge through its rapid spread and multi-sector economic impacts.

Global Initiative for the Risk Assessment Working Group of Invasive Alien Species.

Biological invasion is not only an ecological phenomenon but also an administrative challenge [...

Biological Invasion Data Gaps in China: Examples of Distribution, Inventories, and Impact.

The impact of invasive alien species (IAS) on nature and society is increasing globally. It is crucial to utilize information systems for evidence-based management, enabling the assessment and supporting survey and control actions. However, the lack of accessible and comprehensive baseline IAS data often impedes the ability to prioritize and allocate resources efficiently.

Bulk and single-cell RNA-seq analyses reveal canonical RNA editing associated with microglia homeostasis and its role in sepsis-associated encephalopathy.

Previous studies have demonstrated the roles of both microglia homeostasis and RNA editing in sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE), yet their relationship remains to be elucidated. In this study, we analyzed bulk and single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA) datasets containing 107 brain tissue and microglia samples from mice with microglial depletion and repopulation to explore canonical RNA editing associated with microglia homeostasis and evaluate its role in SAE. Analysis of mouse brain RNA-Seq revealed hallmarks of microglial repopulation, including peak expressions of Apobec1 and Apobec3 at Day 5 of repopulation and dramatically altered B2m RNA editing.

Effects of social support on vision-related quality of life in older adults with dry eye disease: the chain mediating role of illness perception and coping style.

Objective: This study explored the effects of social support, illness perception, coping style, and vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) in older patients with dry eye disease (DED) using a chain mediation model.

Methods: A total of 407 patients with DED from a tertiary hospital in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, between June and December 2023 were selected as participants. A demographic questionnaire, the Social Support Rating Scale, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, and the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning questionnaire-25 were all given to them to complete.

Comparative Analysis of Molecular Landscape in Mouse Models and Patients Reveals Conserved Inflammation Pathways in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify key genes and their regulatory networks that are conserved in mouse models of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and human AMD.

Methods: Retinal RNA-Seq was performed in laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) mice at day 3 and day 7 after photocoagulation. Mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis was performed with retinas collected at day 3.

Epitranscriptomic investigation of myopia-associated RNA editing in the retina.

Myopia is one of the most common causes of vision loss globally and is significantly affected by epigenetics. Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I RNA) editing is an epigenetic process involved in neurological disorders, yet its role in myopia remains undetermined. We performed a transcriptome-wide analysis of A-to-I RNA editing in the retina of form-deprivation myopia mice.

Host A-to-I RNA editing signatures in intracellular bacterial and single-strand RNA viral infections.

Background: Microbial infection is accompanied by remodeling of the host transcriptome. Involvement of A-to-I RNA editing has been reported during viral infection but remains to be elucidated during intracellular bacterial infections.

Results: Herein we analyzed A-to-I RNA editing during intracellular bacterial infections based on 18 RNA-Seq datasets of 210 mouse samples involving 7 tissue types and 8 intracellular bacterial pathogens (IBPs), and identified a consensus signature of RNA editing for IBP infections, mainly involving neutrophil-mediated innate immunity and lipid metabolism.

Simultaneous extracting area and quantity of agricultural greenhouses in large scale with deep learning method and high-resolution remote sensing images.

Greenhouses are an important part of modern facility-based agriculture. While creating well-being for human society, greenhouses also bring negative impacts such as air pollution, soil pollution, and water pollution. Therefore, it is of great significance to obtain information such as the area and quantity of greenhouses.

Prevalence of and factors associated with astigmatism in preschool children in Wuxi City, China.

Purpose: To investigate the status of astigmatism in preschool children in Wuxi City, and explore the risk factors related to astigmatism. The risk factors related to astigmatism development as predictors can help us identify preschool children who need vision screening at an early stage to ensure good visual quality.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 kindergartens randomly selected in five districts of Wuxi City in November 2018.

Host shifts in economically significant fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) with high degree of polyphagy.

Insects tend to feed on related hosts. Coevolution tends to be dominated by interactions resulting from plant chemistry in defense strategies, and evolution of secondary metabolisms being in response to insect herbivory remains a classic explanation of coevolution. The present study examines whether evolutionary constraints existing in host associations of economically important fruit flies in the species-rich tribe Dacini (Diptera: Tephritidae) and to what extent these species have evolved specialized dietary patterns.

Prostaglandin E promotes pathological retinal neovascularisation via EPR-EGFR-Gab1-AKT signaling pathway.

Proliferative retinopathies, such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are major causes of visual impairment and blindness in industrialized countries. Prostaglandin E (PGE) is implicated in cellular proliferation and migration via E-prostanoid receptor (EPR). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PGE/EPR signaling in the promotion of retinal neovascularisation.

A novel missense mutation of RPGR identified from retinitis pigmentosa affects splicing of the ORF15 region and causes loss of transcript heterogeneity.

Mutations in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene, are the major cause of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (RP), in which exon open reading frame 15 (ORF15) of RPGR has been implicated to play a substantial role. We identified a novel hemizygous missense mutation E585K of RPGR from whole-exome sequencing of RP. RNA-Seq analysis and functional study were conducted to investigate the underlying pathogenic mechanism of the mutation.

Species identification, phylogenetic analysis and detection of herbicide-resistant biotypes of Amaranthus based on ALS and ITS.

The taxonomically challenging genus Amaranthus (Family Amaranthaceae) includes important agricultural weed species that are being spread globally as grain contaminants. We hypothesized that the ALS gene will help resolve these taxonomic challenges and identify potentially harmful resistant biotypes. We obtained 153 samples representing 26 species from three Amaranthus subgenera and included in that incorporated ITS, ALS (domains C, A and D) and ALS (domains B and E) sequences.

KCNQ1OT1 affects the progression of diabetic retinopathy by regulating miR-1470 and epidermal growth factor receptor.

Long noncoding RNAs have been reported to play important roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR), which has been considered as the most common disease leading to vision loss. However, it is still unclear whether KCNQ1 overlapping transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) could affect DR. In this study, regarding quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay, KCNQ1OT1 level was upregulated while microRNA-1470 (miR-1470) was decreased in DR patients and human retinal endothelial cells.

Asymmetric response of different functional insect groups to low-grazing pressure in Eurasian steppe in Ningxia.

In recent years, the continued loss and fragmentation of steppe has caused decreased ecosystem functions and species losses in insect diversity. In the 2000s, the Chinese government developed a series of national projects, such as the construction of enclosures, to conserve natural ecosystems, including steppe. However, the effects of these enclosures on steppe arthropod community are largely unknown.

Impact of climate and host availability on future distribution of Colorado potato beetle.

Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) is a devastating invasive pest of potato both in its native North America and now across Eurasia. It also damages eggplant, tomato and feeds on several wild species in the Solanaceae, such as S. eleagnifolium and S.

The first complete mitochondrial genome of Dacus longicornis (Diptera: Tephritidae) using next-generation sequencing and mitochondrial genome phylogeny of Dacini tribe.

The genus Dacus is one of the most economically important tephritid fruit flies. The first complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Dacus species - D. longicornis was sequenced by next-generation sequencing in order to develop the mitogenome data for this genus.

Application of fundamental equations to species-area theory.

Background: Species-area relationship (SAR), endemics-area relationship (EAR) and overlap-area relationship (OAR) are three important concepts in biodiversity study. The application of fundamental equations linking the SAR, EAR and OAR, can enrich the axiomatic framework of the species-area theory and deepen our understanding of the mechanisms of community assembly.

Results: Two fundamental equations are derived and extended to power law model and random replacement model of species-area distribution.

Potential Global-Local Inconsistency in Species-Area Relationships Fitting.

The Species-Area Relationship (SAR) has been widely employed to assess species diversity and predict species extinction. Thus far, although many functions were proposed to fit SAR based on field observations or simulation results, the shape of SAR curve has been debated extensively over decades. Here we uncover a potential global-local inconsistency in SARs fitting simulation blocked by the limitation of large area sampling before.

Emissions of ammonia and greenhouse gases during combined pre-composting and vermicomposting of duck manure.

Combined pre-composting and vermicomposting has shown potential for reclamation of solid wastes, which is a significant source of ammonia (NH3), and greenhouse gases (GHG), including nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2). Earthworms and amendments may both affect physico-chemical characteristics that control gas-producing processes, and thus affect NH3 and GHG emissions. Here, we used two-way ANOVA to test the effects of addition of reed straw and combined addition of reed straw and zeolite on NH3 and GHG emissions during pre-composting of duck manure, either with or without a follow-up phase of vermicomposting.

Meta-modeling soil organic carbon sequestration potential and its application at regional scale.

Upscaling the results from process-based soil-plant models to assess regional soil organic carbon (SOC) change and sequestration potential is a great challenge due to the lack of detailed spatial information, particularly soil properties. Meta-modeling can be used to simplify and summarize process-based models and significantly reduce the demand for input data and thus could be easily applied on regional scales. We used the pre-validated Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) to simulate the impact of climate, soil, and management on SOC at 613 reference sites across Australia's cereal-growing regions under a continuous wheat system.